ELON, N.C. –
Justin Wyatt’s goal in the 53rd minute of action propelled the Elon
men’s soccer team to a 1-0 victory over local rival UNC Greensboro in a key
Southern Conference matchup on Saturday night at Rudd Field. With the victory,
Elon clinched one of the three remaining spots in the upcoming league
tournament as it moved to 4-2 in conference play. The Phoenix improved to 9-7-2
overall, securing its fourth consecutive winning season. The Spartans’ (6-9-3,
3-3-1) playoff hopes lie in the result of the final SoCon matchup — a contest
between the College of Charleston and Furman that will be played on Tuesday.
“This was a highly competitive game with a lot at stake for
both teams,” stated Elon head coach Darren Powell. “It was an entertaining
match and we are just glad to have come out with the three points. Now, we will
focus on preparing the team for the conference tournament next week.”
After seeing several opportunities snuffed out by the
Spartans, Wyatt finally landed one of his game-high seven attempts at 52:33.
Junior Brad Franks played a beautiful ball to an open Wyatt in the box. The
senior hooked the ultimate game-winner into the upper right corner from about
10 yards out for his fifth goal of the season.
Elon came out with a nose for the goal, creating havoc for
the UNCG back line and goalkeeper Peyton Ford. In the opening minutes of the
physical contest, senior Erfan Imeni sent a through ball to a streaking Wyatt
whose chip shot sailed over the goal. A minute later, Franks set up Daniel
Street but the midfielder’s powerful attempt went high. In the 17th
minute, Elon’s Gabe Latigue had an open look from the right side, but Ford made
a good stop to keep the game scoreless.
UNCG managed only two shots on goal, both coming in the
opening half. Thomas Campbell forced Phoenix keeper Clint Irwin to make a
diving save on his shot from the left side midway through the opening 45
minutes.
The final period was more of the same for the Phoenix. In
the 48th minute, Wyatt nearly put Elon on the board but Ford managed
to punch out the headed shot. Immediately after, Franks passed another ball to
Wyatt in the box, but Ford came out and covered the ball to prevent an Elon
score.
Elon finished the contest with a 20-11 advantage in the shot
column. The Phoenix took seven corner kicks compared to two by the visitors.
Ford posted five saves while Irwin recorded two stops in his ninth clean slate
of the season. The nine shutouts are the most in the SoCon and the most by an
Elon team since the 1988 squad earned 10.
The Phoenix honored seven seniors prior to the contest. Imeni,
Street, Wyatt, Clint Collins, Steven Kinney, Stephen Miller and Orry Powers have
helped the program to four consecutive winning seasons, the first time that has
happed during Elon’s Division I history and the first time since the mid-80s.
The group will be looking to lead Elon to its first-ever SoCon Tournament title
next weekend.
The Phoenix is scheduled to make up its game against Georgia
Southern on Monday, November 9 at 6 p.m., at Rudd Field. Rain halted the
earlier matchup in September.
-- ELON --